16 Classic ’80s Series Where the Theme Songs Outshined the Plot

16 Classic ’80s Series Where the Theme Songs Outshined the Plot

The 1980s gave us some of the most memorable television theme songs in history. Many of these catchy tunes became bigger hits than the shows themselves, climbing music charts and staying stuck in our heads decades later. While the series entertained audiences weekly, their opening themes often delivered more lasting impact than the actual storylines.

1. Knight Rider (1982–1986)

That pulsing, futuristic synth melody could make any car ride feel like a high-speed chase. The Knight Rider theme became so legendary that people still associate it with cool technology and sleek automobiles today.

David Hasselhoff cruising around with KITT, his talking Trans Am, certainly had its charm. However, the show’s paper-thin plots rarely matched the excitement promised by that incredible opening sequence.

Week after week, the formula stayed predictably simple: bad guys cause trouble, Michael Knight shows up, KITT saves the day with fancy gadgets. The theme song delivered more thrills in thirty seconds than most episodes managed in an hour.

2. The A-Team (1983–1987)

Few television themes pack as much punch as The A-Team’s military-march masterpiece. That driving beat and heroic brass section instantly transported viewers into action-movie territory, promising explosive adventures ahead.

The show followed ex-soldiers helping people in need, which sounds noble enough. Unfortunately, every single episode followed an identical formula that became painfully predictable after the first season.

Hannibal’s plans, Face’s charm, B.A.’s mechanical skills, and Murdock’s craziness played out the same way each week. The theme song’s energy and excitement far exceeded the repetitive storylines that rarely surprised anyone. When people remember The A-Team today, they’re usually humming that unforgettable opening tune.

3. Airwolf (1984–1987)

Airwolf’s dark, high-energy synthesizer score perfectly captured the mysterious nature of its secret military helicopter. The theme’s intense electronic beats suggested danger lurking around every corner. Stringfellow Hawke piloted this advanced aircraft on various covert missions throughout the series.

While the helicopter itself looked incredibly cool, the actual mission storylines became disappointingly repetitive and formulaic. Each episode essentially recycled the same basic plot: receive mission, fly Airwolf somewhere, shoot bad guys, return home safely.

The show’s writers seemed more interested in showcasing the helicopter’s capabilities than developing interesting characters or surprising plot twists. That amazing theme song promised so much more excitement than the show typically delivered.

4. Miami Vice (1984–1989)

Jan Hammer’s “Miami Vice Theme” didn’t just open a television show – it conquered the music charts, reaching number one and becoming a cultural phenomenon. The synthesizer-heavy track perfectly embodied the flashy, neon-soaked atmosphere of 1980s Miami.

Sonny Crockett and Rico Tubbs looked incredibly stylish chasing drug dealers through South Beach. The show’s fashion, cars, and cinematography created an undeniably cool aesthetic that influenced popular culture for years.

However, beneath all that visual style, many episodes suffered from shallow writing and predictable plots. The theme song’s success overshadowed the show’s storytelling weaknesses, proving that sometimes style really can triumph over substance in television.

5. Growing Pains (1985–1992)

The warm, uplifting melody of “As Long As We Got Each Other” perfectly captured the feeling of unconditional family love and support that viewers craved. The Seaver family dealt with typical suburban problems while Dr. Jason Seaver worked from home as a psychiatrist.

Mike’s schemes, Carol’s perfectionism, and Ben’s mischief provided plenty of sitcom material for seven seasons. Despite its popularity, Growing Pains rarely offered anything particularly unique or memorable beyond standard family sitcom formulas.

The theme song’s emotional resonance and sing-along quality made it far more impactful than most of the show’s forgettable storylines. Families everywhere knew every word of that opening song.

6. Who’s the Boss? (1984–1992)

“Brand New Life” instantly transports anyone who hears it back to the 1980s with its incredibly nostalgic melody. The song’s optimistic lyrics about fresh starts and new opportunities perfectly matched the show’s premise.

Tony Micelli moved from Brooklyn to Connecticut to work as a housekeeper for advertising executive Angela Bower. Their role-reversal dynamic, along with Tony’s relationship with his daughter Samantha, created some genuinely sweet moments. While the chemistry between Tony Danza and Judith Light was undeniable, the show’s plots rarely ventured beyond predictable sitcom territory.

The will-they-won’t-they romance stretched across eight seasons without much genuine character development. That theme song remains more memorable than any specific episode storyline.

7. Perfect Strangers (1986–1993)

“Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now” radiates pure 1980s optimism and determination. The upbeat, encouraging lyrics about chasing dreams and overcoming obstacles still inspire listeners decades later. Balki Bartokomous from the fictional island of Mypos moved in with his distant cousin Larry Appleton in Chicago.

Their cultural differences and Balki’s innocent misunderstandings of American customs provided the show’s primary source of comedy. Unfortunately, the fish-out-of-water humor often relied on the same jokes episode after episode.

Balki’s malapropisms and Larry’s exasperation became predictable rather than endearing over time. The theme song’s infectious energy and motivational message proved far more enduring than the repetitive comedy that followed it week after week.

8. Charles in Charge (1984–1990)

Few theme songs capture the carefree spirit of the 1980s quite like Charles in Charge’s upbeat opening tune. The catchy melody and cheerful lyrics about responsibility and fun created an instantly recognizable television moment.

Charles was a college student working as a live-in helper for the Pembroke family, later moving to care for the Powell family. His job involved managing household duties while dealing with typical family chaos and teenage problems. The show’s premise had potential, but the execution remained disappointingly bland throughout its run.

Most episodes followed predictable sitcom formulas without much creativity or memorable character development. Scott Baio’s charm couldn’t overcome the show’s uninspired writing. The theme song’s lasting popularity far exceeds anyone’s memory of specific episodes or storylines.

9. The Facts of Life (1979–1988)

“You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the facts of life.” These lyrics became permanently embedded in popular culture, creating one of television’s most singable theme songs. The show followed a group of teenage girls attending Eastland School, a prestigious boarding school.

Mrs. Garrett served as their house mother, guiding them through various adolescent challenges and life lessons. While the show tackled some serious topics occasionally, most episodes delivered fairly light and forgettable storylines about typical teenage problems.

The characters’ personalities remained relatively static throughout the series’ long run. The theme song’s wisdom about accepting life’s ups and downs resonated far more deeply than the actual episodes that followed it each week.

10. Family Ties (1982–1989)

Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams performing “Without Us” created one of the most beautiful family-themed songs in television history. The romantic duet about partnership and commitment perfectly captured the show’s focus on family bonds.

The Keaton family’s central conflict involved conservative teenager Alex P. Keaton clashing with his liberal baby-boomer parents. Michael J. Fox’s portrayal of the money-obsessed Republican son became a breakout role that launched his career. Despite Fox’s charismatic performance, many episodes lacked the depth needed to fully explore the family’s political and generational differences.

The show often settled for easy laughs rather than meaningful character development. The theme song’s message about love and unity proved more lasting than most of the show’s surface-level family conflicts.

11. Silver Spoons (1982–1987)

The show delivered one of the most feel-good theme songs of the entire decade. The cheerful melody and optimistic lyrics about friendship and growing up created the perfect singalong experience for viewers of all ages. Ricky Stratton lived with his wealthy, fun-loving father Edward in a mansion filled with toys, games, and endless possibilities for adventure.

Their father-son relationship provided the show’s emotional core as they learned from each other. While the premise offered opportunities for meaningful storytelling about family and responsibility, most episodes focused on lightweight comedy without much dramatic substance.

The show rarely explored the deeper implications of wealth or family dynamics. The theme song’s warmth and nostalgia factor continue to evoke stronger emotions than any specific episode storylines from the series.

12. The Greatest American Hero (1981–1983)

“Believe It or Not” by Joey Scarbury became a legitimate pop hit, climbing to number two on the Billboard charts. The inspiring song about believing in yourself resonated far beyond the show’s quirky superhero premise.

Ralph Hinkley, a mild-mannered teacher, received a super-suit from aliens but promptly lost the instruction manual. His bumbling attempts at heroism, guided by FBI agent Bill Maxwell, provided the show’s comedy and adventure.

The concept was undeniably campy and fun, but the execution often felt thin and repetitive. Ralph’s incompetence with his powers grew tiresome rather than endearing over time. The theme song’s message of self-belief and determination proved far more inspiring and memorable than Ralph’s clumsy superhero adventures week after week.

13. Small Wonder (1985–1989)

Small Wonder’s theme song was undeniably corny, but its cheerful jingle possessed an almost hypnotic quality that made it impossible to forget. The simple, upbeat melody perfectly matched the show’s bizarre and innocent premise.

The Lawson family raised Vicki, a robot child created by father Ted Lawson. Vicki’s superhuman abilities and literal interpretation of human behavior created the show’s primary source of comedy and conflict. Unfortunately, Small Wonder became notorious for its poor writing, unconvincing special effects, and wooden acting performances.

The show’s concept was strange enough to be interesting, but the execution was consistently disappointing. The theme song’s sticky melody remains the most memorable aspect of this peculiar series that somehow ran for four seasons despite its obvious shortcomings.

14. Diff’rent Strokes (1978–1986)

Its catchy melody about family and belonging created an instantly recognizable television moment that people still hum today. Philip Drummond adopted Arnold and Willis Jackson after their mother, his former housekeeper, passed away.

The show explored issues of race, class, and family through the lens of this unusual living arrangement in New York City. While the show occasionally tackled serious social issues, most episodes relied heavily on Arnold’s catchphrases and simple sitcom humor.

Gary Coleman’s natural charisma carried the show, but the writing rarely matched his talent. The theme song’s warm message about family acceptance proved more enduring than the show’s often superficial treatment of complex social topics.

15. B.J. and the Bear (1979–1981)

B.J. and the Bear’s theme song captured the freedom and adventure of life on the open road. The memorable trucker-style tune perfectly matched the show’s premise about a independent truck driver and his unusual traveling companion.

B.J. McKay drove his big rig across the country with Bear, his pet chimpanzee, riding shotgun. Their adventures involved helping people in trouble while avoiding corrupt law enforcement and various criminals along the way. The concept of a trucker with a chimpanzee sidekick was certainly unique, but it wore thin surprisingly quickly.

Most episodes followed predictable formulas that relied heavily on Bear’s antics rather than meaningful character development or storytelling. The theme song’s sense of adventure and freedom proved more appealing than the repetitive plots that followed week after week.

16. Magnum, P.I. (1980–1988)

Mike Post’s jazzy, heroic theme for Magnum, P.I. became legendary among television music. The sophisticated instrumental perfectly captured the sun-soaked Hawaiian setting and Thomas Magnum’s cool detective persona.

Selleck’s natural charm and charisma made Thomas Magnum an instantly likeable private investigator. Living on Robin’s Nest estate in Hawaii, Magnum drove a Ferrari and solved cases while dealing with the uptight estate manager Higgins. While Selleck’s magnetic screen presence carried the show successfully for eight seasons, most individual cases followed fairly routine detective story formulas.

The Hawaiian setting and supporting characters added flavor, but the mysteries themselves rarely surprised viewers. The theme song’s memorable melody and heroic feel created more excitement than many of the predictable cases that Magnum solved each week.